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AM. PHOTU-LITHD. 20A N.Y. (OSBORNE'S PROCESS) @with gestes @www @ffiwl- SAMUEL B. TUCKER, or sir.` LOUIS] MISSOURI. Letters Patent No. 62,982, dated March 19, 1867. l

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Be it known that I, SAMUEL B. TUCKER, M. D., of the city and county of St. Louis, 'and State of Missouri,'

have invented a new and useful surgical instrument known as Doctor Tuckers Scapula, Glavicle, and Spine Supporter, adapted to securing firmly in oneV position any fracture or dislocation of the scapulae, clavicles, vertebrae of the spine, the spinous processes of the cervical and dorsal vertebrae, until the bones become perfectly united and healthy; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of these specifications.

A A is a belt of cloth, leather, rubber, or felt, passing round the body at the waist or below, and is made fast in front by a buckle or other fastening. It is ofisuchv width as to give it proper consistence or strength. B B are two straps of either of the above-named materials, narrower at the lower end'to suit a buckle, in which they are secured, in the centre of the belt A A. Theilwidth increases to two inches at the top. Here they are extended angularly by straps H H, which grow narrower at the lower front end, to fasten in buckles in belt A A. These straps, B B and H H, pass up the back, from the belt A A, and over the shoulders, down the breast, to belt A A in front. D D are two bits of rubber, one inch wide, uniting the straps B on the back and shoulders; These rubbers are to be increased in number if the straps B B are increased in length. They serve as a support for the springs F F F F, and should underlie each additional set of springs. C C are two straps attached by one end to the belt A A on each side of the. body. They pass over the arms and bring them close tothe sides, and the other end is made fast bya buckle in tho belt AA. They prevent the motion of the arms and shoulders. J J are two straps, having a central section of rubber, and a section of cloth, leather, or felt, at each end. One end of these straps is attached to the rolls, pads, or cushions, I I, bya screw in the end of the pad. The other end of these straps passesv diagonally up and across the breast to the opposite shoulder, and is made fast in a buckle in the upper end of the straps H H., These straps hold the pads securely in the arm-pit, and the rubber in the central section allows the accustomed 'elongation and expansion of the thorax in breathing. E E are two plates of steel, iron, or other metal, or rubber, or any matter having solidity sulicient to hold a screw. They are half an inch wide, and of' suchlength as to suit the use of the instrument,

and should, in case ofspinal aifections, reach from the shoulders to the hip`bones. They are perforated with as many holes, and screw-threads eut therein, as are required for the number of springs used. They are each attached to the upper centre of the straps B B. F F F F are springs made of the best of steel, one-halt` inch wide, with a length a little more than halt` the width each between the straps B B. The centre ends of each pair of these springs are united by the screws b; the other end has a slot, and is secured by the screws a a to the plates E E, land allowofadjustment by the medical attendant. G G are two springs of'steel, of the same Width as the above, having a slot in one end, through which the screws a t pass, fastening them respectively to the plates E E; th'e other ends of these springs are bent at an angle to accommodate themselves to the ends of the rolls or pads I I, to which they are secured by the screws c e. This spring is sufficiently long to reach from the plates E E on each section of the body to the end of the cushions I I, when they are secure in the arm-pit. The plates E E should have a'curvatnre suited to .the perpendicular slope of the shoulders and back. The springs F F F F and G G should have a convexity suited to the horizontal mould of the body. I I are rolls, pads, or cushions, of such form as to suit the necessity of each case, either round, wedge-Shaped, or'oval, and of such size and length as to suit the age and build of the patient to whom applied. They are placed in the arm-pit as a fulcrum, over which the arms are brought downto the sides of the body and confined by the straps C C. Thus the arms and thorax are held rmly until functional action ofthe parts is perfectly restored. The instrument allows the free and unrestrained use of the lower extremities, and gives the exercise which the patient requires. i

Claim. v

I claim the invention of 'the plates E E, and the springs F F F F, and G G, making, when put together, the instrument for the support of fracture of the scapulae, clavicles, and vertebrae of the cerv-ix and spine; and desire that `Letter Patent of the United States may be issued to mefor the exclusive right, title, and

interest therein, according to acts of Congress in such case made and provided. I

SAMUEL '13. TUCKER.

Attest:

PETER BERGER, JNO. B. Hierin. 

